Posted: Thursday, February 14, 2013 9:04 pm

In recognition of Black History Month, The Messenger will be presenting a series of articles focused on people who are making history today in our own community. The emphasis will be on men and women who have been elected to positions of responsibility throughout Obion County and on those whose jobs involve keeping us safe and coming to our assistance when there are problems. Specifically, the latter will include those citizens who are involved in law enforcement, firefighting and rescue efforts.
These are some of the people who make our community a place we are glad to call home.
Lt. Rodney Mitchell is a South Fulton police officer who has been working to keep that community safe for the past seven years.
He makes his home in Union City with his wife, Tabitha Mitchell. They are the parents of Rodnesha Mitchell, Desarae Mitchell, Khyia Mitchell and Rodriquez Mitchell. Mitchell is the son of Billie Walker of Union City.
He is a graduate of Fulton County High School in Hickman, Ky., and Mid-Continent University in Mayfield, Ky. He enjoys playing basketball in his spare time.
“Helping the community and giving back” are the aspects of his job he enjoys most and he would like to be chief of his own department in the future.
Young people, he believes, should consider a job such as his because “they would have a chance to do something with their lives and to stay out of trouble.”
Dianne Eskew, who has been elected by Union City residents of Ward 3 to serve their interests since 2000 on the city council, is a graduate of Union City High School and the Tennessee School of Practical Nursing. She was employed in the medical profession for 30 years at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City before retiring and then returning to help those who are sick as the office nurse for Dr. James C. Hall at Northwest Tennessee Cardiology Clinic.
“My job involves meeting and being a part of my patients’ health care. My elected position involves trying to do what is best for the citizens of Union City and taking their interests to heart. I want to make Union City a place people want to come to for visiting and shopping.”
Mrs. Eskew is a member of Brown Chapel AME Church in Union City.
She is the mother of Marlon Eskew of Union City and Tyrone Eskew of Dyer. Her grandchildren include Marquis Eskew, Anasha Eskew, Jarry Eskew, Tony Eskew and Zach Eskew.
She encourages young people to consider running for elected office because “it would give them a sense of responsibility to the city and community. They would have hands-on input on things that will help our town grow.”
She says she also wants to remind the youth of the community to be kind, to smile and to be prayerful, “for we are all in this together.”
H. Dwayne Hensley has a wealth of experience in local government.
He has represented District 4 on the Obion County Commission for 12 years and is a former member of the Courthouse Committee, past vice chairman of the county’s Budget Committee and past chairman of that body’s Delinquent Tax Committee.
He makes his home in Union City with his wife, Yulanda, and has been employed at the A.L. Strub Wastewater Treatment Plant in Union City for 20 years. He was appointed interim director of that entity in October.
Hensley is the son of Harold and Winona Hensley of Union City and is a graduate of Union City High School.
He has done additional work at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, at the University of Tennessee at Martin and at the Fleming Training Center in Murfreesboro, where he was certified by the state board of examiners as Grade IV Wastewater Operator.
He is the father of Dion Hensley of Union City and Eric Hensley and Whitney Hensley, both of Nashville. His aunt, Ramona McCloud, is also a local resident.
He is a member of New Mt. Zion Free Will Baptist Church in Tiptonville, where he serves as minister of music, and is also a member and Past Master of Silver Trowel Lodge No. 2 F&AM (Prince Hall Affiliate) and a member and Past Patron of Bathsheba Chapter 16 Order of Eastern Star. In addition, he belongs to the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts.
“Knowing the each vote I cast as a commissioner is done with no political agenda and only the best interest and desires of the people I represent” is important to him and the most fulfilling part of his service to his community, Hensley says.
“I have reached the stage of life where my goals are centered on doing the best I can to live in a way that pleases God and acknowledges Him in all things, that He may direct my path,” Hensley adds. “I am a living witness that living in God’s favor will make your harvest plentiful and your goals attainable.”
Published in The Messenger 2.14.13